Palakkad: Senior Congress leader and former Chittur MLA K Achuthan passed away at the age of 76 on Monday, September 7, 2026.

A stalwart of Kerala politics, particularly across Palakkad district, Achuthan leaves behind a distinguished legacy spanning decades of dedicated public service, grassroots governance and agricultural advocacy.

Achuthan represented the Chittur constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for four consecutive terms after securing victories in the 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 state elections.

Before making his mark in the State Assembly, he was a cornerstone of local governance in Palakkad. He served as the Municipal Chairman of the Chittur-Thattamangalam Municipality for nearly two decades from 1979 to 1996.

Beyond electoral politics, Achuthan played an active role in Kerala's agricultural and cooperative sectors. He served as the president of the Service Co-operative Bank and held a directorship at the Primary Co-operative Agriculture Development Bank in Chittur, consistently championing rural and farming communities.

His political legacy continues through his son, Adv Sumesh Achuthan, who currently serves as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the same Chittur constituency.